Little Women: LA on Lifetime

[carnation]

One of my daughters is a little person. She is proportionally correct--meaning she's a "midget", as some people call them, as opposed to a "dwarf" like most of these women are. In other words, most people think she's a child, although she's 18, and there are many, many tiny Central American women in this area who are like our daughter.

She likes reality TV but is repelled by that show.

[als463]

Originally Posted by carnation

One of my daughters is a little person. She is proportionally correct--meaning she's a "midget", as some people call them, as opposed to a "dwarf" like most of these women are. In other words, most people think she's a child, although she's 18, and there are many, many tiny Central American women in this area who are like our daughter.

She likes reality TV but is repelled by that show.

Question: Do you know what is the proper height to even be considered a midget? I ask because I was told that a woman under 5 feet could be viewed as one.

[carnation]

Originally Posted by als463

Question: Do you know what is the proper height to even be considered a midget? I ask because I was told that a woman under 5 feet could be viewed as one.

I believe that the LPA considers a woman under 4'8" to be a little person.

[als463]

Originally Posted by carnation

I believe that the LPA considers a woman under 4'8" to be a little person.

See, I thought the LPA was talking about dwarfism being 4 foot 8 and under to be a dwarf. It didn't answer the question on their webpage, that I saw, explaining what was considered midget but, only that it was an offensive term. I ask because I was always told it was under 5 foot if a woman is over a certain age. I've had many people joke that I am in that category as I am less than 4 foot 11.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by als463

I've had many people joke that I am in that category as I am less than 4 foot 11.

I guess the experts needed a cutoff point for when it is more than just "being really short". I also think it is a combination of height and body proportion.

I had a high school friend who is 4'11". She had a very nice, fully proportioned, body. The boys loved her because she was gorgeous and had a rotund fully proportioned butt.

[carnation]

Originally Posted by als463

See, I thought the LPA was talking about dwarfism being 4 foot 8 and under to be a dwarf. It didn't answer the question on their webpage, that I saw, explaining what was considered midget but, only that it was an offensive term. I ask because I was always told it was under 5 foot if a woman is over a certain age. I've had many people joke that I am in that category as I am less than 4 foot 11.

If the definition is changed to 5' and under for women, we'll have 2 little people because another daughter is 4'10". Right now, the one we have is 4'5".

[33girl]

Originally Posted by carnation

One of my daughters is a little person. She is proportionally correct--meaning she's a "midget", as some people call them, as opposed to a "dwarf" like most of these women are. In other words, most people think she's a child, although she's 18, and there are many, many tiny Central American women in this area who are like our daughter.

She likes reality TV but is repelled by that show.

Did you see where they went off on Elena for using the "m-word"? They basically said that midget is not a medical term, that everyone's a dwarf and there are just proportionate and disproportionate dwarves. I was very confused.

[carnation]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Did you see where they went off on Elena for using the "m-word"? They basically said that midget is not a medical term, that everyone's a dwarf and there are just proportionate and disproportionate dwarves. I was very confused.

I haven't seen the show--they're exploiting people with a medical condition!--but we've been this route. Some people say midget=proportionate and dwarf=disproportionate. Some don't care what you use, others have definite opinions about that. Others are offended by the word "dwarf". I'm about tired of that whole mess because there are so many different opinions and you can't satisfy everyone.

My oldest son has a childhood friend who's a dwarf (disproportionate dwarf, if you will), like his dad and sister. They are also over the terminology business. We are all trying to focus on normal living--let's get the aids we need to in order to live life like everyone else. Period!

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by carnation

I haven't seen the show--they're exploiting people with a medical condition!--but we've been this route. Some people say midget=proportionate and dwarf=disproportionate. Some don't care what you use, others have definite opinions about that. Others are offended by the word "dwarf". I'm about tired of that whole mess because there are so many different opinions and you can't satisfy everyone.

My oldest son has a childhood friend who's a dwarf (disproportionate dwarf, if you will), like his dad and sister. They are also over the terminology business. We are all trying to focus on normal living--let's get the aids we need to in order to live life like everyone else. Period!

^^What she said. My understanding is that the safest terminology is "Little Person" and that little person has a form of dwarfism...but not ever called/labeled a "dwarf" or a "midget"

[33girl]

The only way anyone who agrees to appear on any reality show these days is being "exploited" (which to me implies they aren't aware that they are being used for others' gain) is if they were raised in the woods by wolves and never saw a television set. Like the fable of the woman and the snake, they knew what this was when they picked it up.

[carnation]

I think when a lot of these shows are pitched, they tell the prospective cast members that this will be a way to highlight their condition/unique status/etc. in a good way, be it dwarfism, big family, twins plus sextuplets, or whatever. After a while, the show needs better ratings so the producers start scripting it or trying to cause drama. Finally it devolves into something that the cast members never anticipated and often their lives and any hopes of privacy are in rags.

The one show that appears to be different is "The Little Couple".

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by 33girl

The only way anyone who agrees to appear on any reality show these days is being "exploited" (which to me implies they aren't aware that they are being used for others' gain) is if they were raised in the woods by wolves and never saw a television set. Like the fable of the woman and the snake, they knew what this was when they picked it up.

Except for kids; think Toddlers & Tiaras or Dance Moms. They don't know any better—and of course if asked they'd love to be on TV. They're being exploited by the producers and by their parents.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by carnation

I think when a lot of these shows are pitched, they tell the prospective cast members that this will be a way to highlight their condition/unique status/etc. in a good way, be it dwarfism, big family, twins plus sextuplets, or whatever. After a while, the show needs better ratings so the producers start scripting it or trying to cause drama. Finally it devolves into something that the cast members never anticipated and often their lives and any hopes of privacy are in rags.

The one show that appears to be different is "The Little Couple".

If ANYONE believes that pitch nowadays, they are dumber than a box of hair.

MC: the Coogan Law needs to be applied across all the states where reality shows are concerned. It did get updated in PA thanks to those a-holes Jon and Kate.